Mary Pat Kelly Galway Bay Book

As soon as I got back to Chicago I went to visit the statue of Grainne in Heritage Park across from Old St. Pat's. The artist imagined the daughter of an Irish chieftain--she's proud and free, the kind of strong Irish woman who endured and triumphed. I look at her and think of Honora and all the mothers and grandmothers who were determined their children would not die. The City of Galway, Chicago's Sister City, gave the statue of Grainne as an expression of the historic link between Chicago and Galway and a tribute to Irish women. Grainne will provide the focus when Chicago joins Irish communities throughout the world in commemorating the first Irish Famine Memorial Day May 17, 2009. The American Ireland Fund, The Galway Committee of the Chicago Sister Cities International Program, The Irish Fellowship Club and Old St. Pat's Parish will come together to mark the day and honor our ancestors. I'm to say a few words about the Chicago Irish experience. Afterwards in the parish hall the wonderful singer Catherine O'Connell and I will present a program of songs and stories from Galway Bay. I am so glad these commemorations are happening and glad we can lay a wreath at Grainne's feet. I never see a statue of a woman in a public place. Of course walk into Old St. Pat's and there is St. Brigid, St. Ann and of course the Blessed Mother. Lots and lots of women in all the Catholic Churches in Chicago, not only statues but in the stained glass windows and paintings. Mary Magdalene's there at the foot of the cross and women appear in the stations--Veronica, the women of Jerusalem, Mary and Mary Magdalene. In Galway Bay I imagined women praying in these very churches. I'm sure they found comfort thinking about these other women of strength. Thanks Galway City for giving us Grainne!

Photo: Bert Kelly-Jarchow